Floatation system including life raft

ABSTRACT

A floatation system for attachment to a helicopter landing skid includes a girt dimensioned to be attached to a landing skid and a plurality of floats attached to the elongate girt, wherein the plurality of floats are adapted to be converted from a packed configuration to an deployed configuration, and wherein at least one of the plurality of floats extends beneath the elongate girt when the plurality of floats is in the deployed configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/961,787, filed on Sep. 21, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,305.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to emergency floatation devices, ingeneral, and more particularly to emergency floatation devices usedduring and after emergency landings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of floatation devices for buoyantly supporting an aircraft on abody of water has been prevalent for many years. Part-time and full-timefixed floatation systems have been in widespread use for many years.Some aircraft, especially helicopters, are equipped with both inflatablefloatation bags and an inflatable life raft. Typically, deflatedfloatation bags are fixedly attached to the helicopter landing skids andpacked tightly within flexible fabric covers. These floatation bags areinflated in order to support the helicopter when ditching or landing inwater is anticipated. On the other hand, inflatable emergency rafts areconventionally stored inside the helicopter fuselage, which isdisadvantageous for several reasons.

One disadvantage of storing the inflatable raft inside the aircraft isthe amount of space that must be allocated to stow the raft. Inflatablerafts of this sort commonly take up more than six cubic feet of spacewhen deflated. Since six cubic feet is the approximate equivalent of twoextra passengers, trips to and from an offshore platform, for example,are far less efficient when an inflatable life raft is stowed within theaircraft fuselage. A further disadvantage of storing the inflatable raftinside the aircraft is that the raft must be manually expelled from theaircraft before being inflated, which wastes precious time and may bemore difficult if the aircraft is damaged or the passengers are injured.Yet another disadvantage is that some on-board raft systems requiresignificant modification of the aircraft fuselage, (e.g., additionalcompartment and door) which is very costly.

In view of these shortcomings, there exists a need for an inflatableemergency raft system, which is not stowed within the aircraft fuselage,requires little or no modification of the aircraft and requires minimalmanual involvement during an emergency.

Any art discussed above should not be taken as an admission that the artis prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention involves an emergency floatationsystem for attachment to a helicopter landing skid including at leastone inflatable float and an inflatable emergency life raft, wherein thesystem is adapted to be converted from a packed configuration to apartially deployed configuration by use of a first actuating member, andwherein the system is adapted to be converted from the partiallydeployed configuration into a fully deployed configuration by use of asecond actuating member.

A further aspect of the present invention involves an emergencyfloatation system for attachment to a helicopter landing skid, whereinthe system is adapted to be converted from a fully deployedconfiguration into a packed configuration by deflating and folding atleast one raft and at least one inflatable float.

Another aspect of the present invention involves an emergency floatationsystem for attachment to a helicopter landing skid including at leastone inflatable float and an inflatable emergency life raft, wherein theat least one float is inflated using compressed Helium and the raft isinflated using compressed Nitrogen.

Yet another aspect of the present invention involves an emergencyfloatation system for attachment to a helicopter landing skid includinga girt, at least one inflatable float and an inflatable emergency liferaft, wherein the girt is attached to the landing skid, the at least onefloat is attached to the girt and the life raft attached to the at leastone float.

A further aspect of the present invention involves an emergencyfloatation system for attachment to a helicopter landing skid includinga girt, at least one inflatable float and an inflatable emergency liferaft, wherein the at least one float is attached to the girt with aflexible float cover including two halves that are fixedly attached tothe girt at one end with an adhesive and releasably attached to eachother at the other end using fasteners.

Another aspect of the present invention involves an emergency floatationsystem for attachment to a helicopter landing skid including a girt, atleast one inflatable float and an inflatable emergency life raft,wherein the life raft is attached to the at least one float with aflexible float cover including two halves that are fixedly attached tothe at least one float at one end with an adhesive and releasablyattached to each other at the other end using fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of a packed emergency floatation systemaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view of a partially deployed emergencyfloatation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a sectional view of the emergency floatation system ofFIG. 1 during packing.

FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of a fully deployed inflatableraft of an emergency floatation system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a deflated, partially packedinflatable raft of an emergency floatation system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a deflated, partially packedinflatable raft of an emergency floatation system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a deflated, fully packed inflatableraft of an emergency floatation system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 depicts a sectional view of a partially deployed emergencyfloatation system attached to a helicopter according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1–4 and 8, an emergency floatation system 10according to the present invention is generally comprised of a girtmember 30 for attachment to a landing skid 50 of an aircraft such as ahelicopter 60, an emergency life raft 70, a float system 90 and aflexible cover 110. In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1–3,the float system 90 includes a pair of large side floats 130,140connected by a smaller center float 160. As one of ordinary skill in theart can appreciate, the float system 90 may consist of any number ofalternative float arrangements that utilize any number of individualfloats.

Importantly, the floatation system 10 has three different configurationsconsisting of: (1) a packed configuration as depicted in FIG. 1; (2) apartially deployed configuration as depicted in FIG. 2, wherein thefloat system 90 has been fully deployed, but the raft 70 remains fullypacked; and (3) a fully deployed configuration, which incorporates boththe float configuration depicted in FIG. 2 and the inflated life raft 70depicted in FIG. 4. Unless an emergency landing in water is necessary,the floatation system 10 should remain in the packed configuration.

The emergency floatation system 10 is attached to the landing skid 50 byfirst slipping the girt member 30 over the top of the landing skid 50and then firmly securing the girt member 30 to the landing skid 50 usingfasteners 180, such as a plurality of bolts 180. However, one ofordinary skill in the art would understand that any number of well-knownmechanical fasteners could be used, including, but not limited torivets, screws, adhesives, etc. Alternatively, the girt member 30 may bewelded to the landing skid 50. Barring an emergency or a safetyinspection, the floatation system 10 should remain attached to the skid50 in the packed configuration.

One advantage of storing the life raft 70 under the helicopter fuselageis the amount of space that can be saved. Since inflatable life raftscommonly take up more than six cubic feet of space when deflated, ahelicopter 60 can transport two extra passengers when the life raft 70is stored under the helicopter 60. Another advantage of storing theinflatable raft 70 outside the helicopter 60 is that the raft 70 neednot be manually expelled from the fuselage before being inflated. Thissaves valuable time and can avoid potential difficulties should thehelicopter 60 be damaged or the passengers be injured.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the packed configuration, the flexible cover 110surrounds the deflated floats 90, which are positioned around the packedlife raft 70. The floats 90 are secured to the girt 30 by fixedlyattaching the center float 160 to the top of the girt 30 using anadhesive such as cement, glue, epoxy resin, hinge tape or otheradhesive. As best seen in FIG. 3, the deflated side floats 130,140 arerolled inwardly toward the girt member 30 before the flexible cover 110is applied.

The flexible cover 110 comprises two halves, which are fixedly attachedto the girt 30 at a first end 190 using fasteners 200 such as nuts 200,bolts 200 and washers 200, and releasably attached at a second end 210using fasteners 220 such as strips of hook and loop fasteners 220,snaps, and laces 220. Preferably, these fasteners 220 are used incombination so that the cover 110 is tightly secured about the floats 90and life raft 70. As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand,strips of hook and loop fasteners having embedded snaps can be used toprovide a more robust attachment at the second end 210 of the flexiblecover 110, and laces can be used to tighten the attachment once thesnaps and hook and loop fasteners are connected.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flexible life raft cover 230 surrounds the packedlife raft 70 and attaches it to the large side float 140. As one ofordinary skill in the art can appreciate, the life raft 70 mayalternative be attached to any other element of the floatation system 10including large side float 130, center float 160, or girt member 30. Theflexible life raft cover 230 includes two halves that are fixedlyattached to the large side float at one end 240 using an adhesive suchas cement, glue, epoxy resin, hinge tape or other adhesive, andreleasably attached at the other end using fasteners 250 such as snaps250, hook and loop fasteners 250, laces or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 2, the emergency floatation system 10 is partiallydeployed when a water landing is required. In the partially deployedconfiguration, the floats 90 are inflated while the raft 70 remainspacked. In addition, the flexible cover 110 together with a pair ofcircular end caps 260 hang from the inflated floatation system 10. Inthe packed configuration, the end caps 260 are attached to the flexiblecover 110 using a strip of hook and loop fasteners along the outerperimeter of the circular end caps 260. The end caps 260 may includepockets containing survival equipment.

Inflation of the floats 90 is achieved using of an actuator, such as anelectrical or mechanical switch, to release a canister of compressed gasinto an air hose, through inlet check valve 270 and into the floats 90.The force of the compressed gas into the floats 90 must be sufficient todisengage the fasteners 220 to pop open the flexible cover 110 and endcaps 260. The canister of gas may be mounted underneath the helicopter60 or within the helicopter fuselage. Helium is the preferred gasbecause it permits a very fast rate of inflation. Other suitable gasesinclude, but are not limited to, Nitrogen and air.

According to the partially deployed float configuration depicted in FIG.2, the center float 160 sits atop girt member 30 and the side floats130,140 straddle the girt 30 on either side, providing a wide footprintof buoyancy. As best seen in FIG. 8, the large side floats 130,140extend well beneath the girt member 30, and thus, well below the landingskid 50 of the helicopter 60. The life raft 70 is preferably attachednear the top of side float 140. As one of ordinary skill in the artwould appreciate, there may be any number of alternative arrangementsamong the life raft 70 and floats 90.

After an emergency water landing, life raft 70 may be needed to keep thesurvivors afloat until help arrives. Inflation of the life raft 70 isalso achieved using an actuator such as an electrical switch to releasea canister of compressed gas into an air hose 340, through inlet checkvalve 350 and into the life raft 70. The force of the compressed gasinto the life raft 70 must be sufficient to disengage the fasteners 250and pop open the flexible life raft cover 230. Likewise, the canister ofgas may be mounted underneath the helicopter 60 or within the helicopterfuselage. Nitrogen is the preferred gas because it permits a slower rateof inflation, and therefore, greater control of how the life raft 70unfolds. Other suitable gases include, but are not limited to, Helium,air, etc. In the fully deployed configuration, both the floats 90 andthe life raft 70 have been inflated. FIG. 4 depicts a top view of thelife raft 70, which includes handles 300, cross bar 320 and air hose340.

Conveniently, the life raft 70 includes a quick connector 360 having anautomatic release mechanism for rapid detachment of the air hose 340from the canister of Nitrogen. The life raft 70 further includes apressure relief valve 370 for the release of gas if the life raft 70 isoverfilled and a topping valve 380 for inflation of the life raft 70using a hand pump.

Referring to FIGS. 4–7, a preferred method of folding the life raft 70to ensure proper inflation will now be described. For folding purposes,the raft 70 is divided into a top section 400, a bottom section 420 anda middle section 440 separated by fold lines 460. After deflating theraft 70, the top section 400 and bottom section 420 are folded up andtowards centerline 480, as depicted in FIG. 5. As best seen in FIGS. 6and 7, the folded raft 70 is then rolled up starting with the sideopposite air hose 340 and rolling toward the air hose 340.

Many variations of the above-described invention are possible. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the invention, but rather as subject matter intended to beencompassed within the scope of the following claims, to the fullestextent allowed by applicable law.

1. A floatation system for a helicopter having landing skids, the floatation system comprising: at least one inflatable float attached to the landing skids for buoyantly supporting the helicopter on water; and an inflatable raft for transporting persons, wherein the system is adapted to be converted from a packed configuration to a partially deployed configuration by use of a first actuating member, and wherein the system is adapted to be converted from the partially deployed configuration into a fully deployed configuration by use of a second actuating member.
 2. The floatation system of claim 1, wherein the at least one float and the raft are releasably contained within a cover member in the packed configuration.
 3. The floatation system of claim 1, wherein the raft and the at least one float are deflated in the packed configuration.
 4. The floatation system of claim 1, wherein the raft is deflated and the at least one float is inflated in the partially deployed configuration.
 5. The floatation system of claim 1, wherein the raft and the at least one float are inflated in the fully deployed configuration.
 6. A floatation system attached to a helicopter, the floatation system comprising: a girt attached to the helicopter; at least one float attached to the girt; and a raft attached to the at least one float, wherein the at least one float is adapted to support the helicopter and the raft is adapted to transport persons, wherein the system is adapted to be converted from a packed configuration to a partially deployed configuration by use of a first actuating member, and wherein the system is adapted to be converted from the partially deployed configuration into a fully deployed configuration by use of a second actuating member.
 7. The floatation system of claim 6, wherein the at least one float and the raft are releasably contained within a cover member in a packed configuration.
 8. The floatation system of claim 7, wherein the raft and the at least one float are deflated in the packed configuration.
 9. The floatation system of claim 6, wherein the raft is deflated and the at least one float is inflated in the partially deployed configuration.
 10. The floatation system of claim 6, wherein the raft and the at least one float are inflated in the fully deployed configuration.
 11. A floatation system in combination with a helicopter landing skid, the floatation system comprising: at least one inflatable float attached to the landing skid; and an inflatable raft, wherein the system is adapted to be converted from a packed configuration to a partially deployed configuration by use of a first actuating member, and wherein the system is adapted to be converted from the partially deployed configuration into a fully deployed configuration by use of a second actuating member.
 12. The floatation system of claim 11, wherein the at least one float and the raft are releasably contained within a cover member in the packed configuration.
 13. The floatation system of claim 11, wherein the raft and the at least one float are deflated in the packed configuration.
 14. The floatation system of claim 11, wherein the raft is deflated and the at least one float is inflated in the partially deployed configuration.
 15. The floatation system of claim 11, wherein the raft and the at least one float are inflated in the fully deployed configuration.
 16. A floatation system for a helicopter having landing skids, the floatation system comprising: at least one inflatable float attached to the landing skids for buoyantly supporting the helicopter on water; and an inflatable raft for transporting persons, wherein the at least one float and the raft are releasably contained within a cover member in a packed configuration.
 17. The floatation system of claim 16, wherein the system is adapted to be converted from a packed configuration to a partially deployed configuration by use of a first actuating member.
 18. The floatation system of claim 17, wherein the raft and the at least one float are deflated in the packed configuration.
 19. The floatation system of claim 17, wherein the raft is deflated and the at least one float is inflated in the partially deployed configuration.
 20. The floatation system of claim 17, wherein the system is adapted to be converted from the partially deployed configuration into a fully deployed configuration and the raft and the at least one float are inflated in the fully deployed configuration. 